Tuesday, August 31, 2010

I was so excited when I found out that my kids and I would spend the Fourth of July in Blanding. There is nothing quite like Blanding, Utah on the Fourth of July. I have many fun memories growing-up of trips to Blanding.

We arrived in Blanding on the 2nd, in the afternoon. Most of the celebrations were to take place the following day.

We had a yummy dinner. After dinner, the kids went out to have snow cones outside. The kids were in heaven playing with cousins on the tramp, swings, merry-go-round and all the other fun things to do at Aunt Julene's house.The kids below are playing Dead Man, Dead Man.Later in the evening, we went to the Blanding Pool (which also holds lots of fun memories).We had a great time even though the water was freezing!! Thank goodness I had Papa there to help. Also, thanks to Lissa for letting us borrow some of her fun toys.The next day, was the third. Millie and I woke up and ran the 5K with some family members (Lisa, Lana, Lance and Kenneth and many other extended family members). I was okay with my time. I hadn't been running as much as I should have been, but still ended up below 30 minutes with a time of 29:37.

Next, we took the kids to the 4th of July Parade. Lissa let us borrow her nail polish and we painted Emmy's nails red, white and blue. The kids looked so cuteJane, Emma, Ben, Hyrum and Emmy Christian, Jane, Emmy, Emma, Jenna Waiting for the Parade to Begin

Lovin' the Candy

Towards the end of the parade, the kids started to get hot. After the parade, we went back to Aunt Julene's house to play.My parents took the twins to the money dive at the pool before they took them back to the hotel for a nap.

Hyrum and I went to the horse races. It was his idea. He liked watching for awhile, especially since there was a kid riding named Hyrum. However, I think he thought the races would be different.

We went back to Julene's house had dinner and decided to go fishing. We had such a great time. I will make a special post just for fishing later.

We came home from fishing just in time to head off to watch the fireworks. The kids loved the fun glow in the dark things they were given from Karen and Allen. Emmy once again perched herself on Grandma-Great's lap. Hyrum loved snuggling with Millie. Ben loved being silly with his Papa. The firework show was amazing! It was such a fun day. We went back to the hotel and crashed.

On the way back to my parent's house, we stopped to hike up to the hole in the rock. Hyrum saw how cool it was on the way down to Blanding and asked to hike it. Papa promised him that he would stop on the way home. I didn't go up all the way. I wasn't feeling good and I was in a dress and flip-flops. I decided that next time we need to climb the side with the stairs.

It was such a fun trip. I was so glad that we were able to have a vacation on a vacation. Thank you again to my parents to Julene for having us!

Monday, August 23, 2010

Yesterday, Ben and Emmy each had a part in closing exercises for Primary. They were so excited for their turn. Our ward gives necklaces for the kids to wear home with their part on it. The kids loved wearing the necklaces and still had them yesterday. Technically, Ben gave a prayer back in the beginning of the year, but froze and I ended up doing it. However, this time Ben did a fantastic job reading his scripture in his cute little voice. I just love the way he talks! Hyrum was so sweet and let Ben use his scriptures for his pictures.Emmy gave a sweet little prayer and only needed help at the very end. I put Emmy's hair in curlers the night before and her hair turned out so cute! She got lots of compliments.She wanted to make a number one for her pictures.I love my cute Ben and Emmy. I can't believe that they will be four in October. They are growing up too fast!

Quote of the Week

"If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will—to your surprise—miss them profoundly."-President Thomas S Monson

Sisters, there is something inspiring and sublime about the little forget-me-not flower. I hope it will be a symbol of the little things that make your lives joyful and sweet. Please never forget that you must be patient and compassionate with yourselves, that some sacrifices are better than others, that you need not wait for a golden ticket to be happy. Please never forget that the “why” of the gospel of Jesus Christ will inspire and uplift you. And never forget that your Heavenly Father knows, loves, and cherishes you.—President Dieter F. Uchtdorf